Gear Review: The New G. Loomis Asquith 690-4 Fly Rod

January 9, 2026 By: Rick Mikesell

Photo by Rick Mikesell

There has been a long-running argument in fly fishing that manufacturers keep building rods that are too fast for their intended use. That debate goes back decades and has only gained steam in the most recent batch of big-name fly rods. In classic trout fishing, where dry flies, light tippets, and small water dominate, that criticism may hold true. In big lakes, saltwater, and wide rivers where heavy streamers, sinking lines, constant wind, and hard-pulling fish define the day, the equation changes entirely.

For years, fast rods were remarkably powerful but stiff and heavy, with limited feel and little forgiveness. Over the past decade, that narrative has shifted. Modern materials and construction have allowed rod designers to reduce weight and increase responsiveness while holding onto real power. The improvements are subtle and increasingly difficult to quantify, often imperceptible to most casual anglers, but they matter to anglers who fish demanding water regularly.

The updated Asquith from G. Loomis represents the sharp point of that evolution. After spending meaningful time with the 6-weight version, it stands as one of the most impressive power rods I have fished.

A Familiar Lineage

G. Loomis has long been my go-to brand for rods designed to handle wind, distance, and heavy lines. In my regular rotation are an NRX+ 906 and an IMX Pro 906—my go-to for big stillwater trout, wiper, walleye, and offseason carp. The previous generation Asquith in a 908 has been irreplaceable in saltwater, on large reservoirs for carp, and when chasing pike. All of them excel at long casts with sinking lines that test both rods and casters.

The new Asquith maintains the authority of those rods while dramatically reducing swing weight. In hand, it feels closer to a 4- or 5-weight. Once the cast extends or a fish comes tight, the power feels closer to a 7-weight. That balance between lightness, feel in hand, and strength turns the dial to the next tier.

Build Quality and Details

At $1,570.00, expectations are high, and the Asquith meets them across the board. Fit and finish are excellent. The integrated reel seat uses a double uplocking design that holds reels securely with no hint of movement. The shape sits comfortably in hand and provides a confident grip across a wide range of hand sizes.

Guide choice and placement are clearly aimed at anglers who fish dense lines. Line shoots cleanly, even with smaller-diameter sinking lines. The bold gloss black blank reveals the Spiral X wrap when light hits it, adding striking visual texture. Branding is clean and pronounced in a metallic silver, and rod size and line weight are etched into the reel seat, which becomes genuinely useful if you are lucky enough to own more than one. The aluminum tube and cloth rod bag are top-tier and match the premium feel of the rod itself.

The only thing missing is alignment dots. With a deep black blank and dark guides, lining the rod up in low light or at night can take a little extra care.

Casting and Line Control

This is a caster’s rod. It thrives with heavy flies, sinking lines, and a lot of line outside the tip. Despite that, it offers more feedback than most rods in this class. Timing comes easily, and the rod tracks cleanly through the stroke. Distance and competition casters will likely appreciate its sheer ability to produce accuracy at maximum distance.

While it’s a rock star at distance, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it handled short work. Paired with a heavier-headed floating line like the RIO Elite Gold Max, the rod excelled at quick shots and controlled pendulum casts while night fishing for carp on my home river. Accuracy is a standout trait. The rod follows through smoothly and delivers the fly exactly where the stroke intends, right to the point of entry.

Fish Fighting and Tippet Protection

Hook sets are decisive, and it is easy to transmit lockup through the line. When fighting fish, the Asquith shows no mercy. While fishing for trout at my lunchtime lake, stripping leeches on intermediate or full-sink lines depending on conditions, I have caught a few “dink” trout, and it is honestly not the sportiest fight, much like fighting a small fish on a 7-weight. On the other end of the spectrum, some big, hard-pulling browns have stayed connected on reasonably light tippet in the 3X and 4X range, with a tip that is sensitive enough to protect the connection. 6X would likely be a stretch if you tend to set hard.

This rod is not marketed as a light trout tool. It is available in 6- through 12-weights, with 6- and 7-weights labeled freshwater and 8- through 12-weights labeled saltwater. It is a rod for sinking lines, big water, heavy flies, strong wind, and hard-pulling fish, while still feeling light in hand, unlike many rods specifically designed for these pursuits.

Shimano Influence and Blank Construction

Part of what separates the Asquith from other high-end rods is the influence of Shimano’s blank design and manufacturing capability. The blanks are rolled in Kumamoto, Japan, then finished and assembled in Woodland, Washington. That combination shows in both domestic consistency and Japanese refinement.

Shimano’s Spiral X and Spiral X Core construction, the heart of the Asquith, address two persistent challenges in fly rod design: torsional twist and cross-section compression. When a rod twists during the cast or under load, accuracy suffers and recovery slows. Compression reduces power and can eventually lead to failure.

Spiral X construction uses a central layer of longitudinal fibers paired with inner and outer layers of carbon tape wrapped diagonally in opposing directions. That structure resists twisting and compression throughout the blank without adding unnecessary weight. Spiral X Core builds on that foundation with higher-strength resin materials, increasing rigidity in all directions while preserving a light, responsive feel.

On the water, that translates to cleaner tracking, faster recovery, and better power transfer when casting and fighting fish. The rod feels stable under pressure without feeling dead.

Models and Pricing

The rod reviewed here is the Asquith 690-4: a 9-foot, 4-piece, 6-weight with a fast action, retailing for $1,570.00. The 7-weight freshwater model retails for $1,635.00. Saltwater versions are available from 8- through 12-weight, with prices ranging from $1,635.00 to $1,750.00 depending on the line class.

Power Without the Penalty

The Asquith shows what modern power rods can be when weight, strength, and feel receive equal attention. It is direct in its intent and unapologetic in its focus. In big water, strong wind, and with heavy lines and flies, it delivers brute power without the downfalls of brute power. It is extraordinarily light in hand and loads with little effort. For anglers who regularly fish these conditions, the Asquith sets a very high bar for what a 6-weight can be.